Last month, Houston Rockets forward P.J. Tucker said he was optimistic that he would soon be able to reach a contract extension with the team.
But as of Monday, no specific proposal had reached the desk of owner Tilman J. Fertitta, who said this when asked about a potential extension during an interview with Sam Amick of The Athletic:
You know, I think the world of P.J. and I really just haven’t – honestly, it hasn’t come to my desk, so when it comes to my desk I’ll say yay or nay or what about this? Just like I always do. But they haven’t brought it to me yet. I’ve got to talk to P.J., and we’ll see what happens.
That comment would seem to indicate that financial negotiations between Tucker’s representation and Rockets GM Daryl Morey remain in progress and have yet to reach an agreement. In late August, the Rockets did award an extension to guard Eric Gordon.
By the terms of the current deal Tucker signed in July 2017, he would earn $8.3 million in the 2019-20 season and $8.0 million in 2020-21 — though less than half of the final year is fully guaranteed.
Now 34 years old, Tucker is especially known for his defense, leadership, and corner three-point shooting. The 6-foot-6 forward was the only Rockets player to start all 82 games last year, and he is again slated as the starting power forward for the 2019-20 season.
Last fall, Houston head coach Mike D’Antoni referred to Tucker as “one of the best players in the league.”
Under the NBA’s current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and considering the Over-38 rule, the most Tucker can earn in an extension is $31.0 million over three years, $19.9 million over two years, or $9.6 million for one year. While an annual rate near $10 million would seem to be a bargain at first glance given Tucker’s contributions, his age could prompt him to seriously consider it.
Earlier this summer, The Athletic‘s Kelly Iko reported that Houston wants Tucker to retire with the team, adding that the Rockets have even discussed a role for him after his playing days are done.
Tucker was expected to play this offseason with the U.S. Men’s Basketball National Team as part of the upcoming 2019 FIBA World Cup, but he was a late scratch with a minor ankle injury. He is expected to be fully recovered by the time Houston’s training camp for the 2019-20 season begins in late September.
